CAUSES OF MORTALITY IN THE RED GROUSE 137 



No case of poisoning in Grouse can be attributed to the con- 

 sumption of any plants found growing upon a moor. 



Several cases of abscesses and septic poison of the leg, 

 which resembled " bumblefoot " and " whitlow," were sent up poison. 

 for examination during 1908. A young cock Grouse that was 

 shot purposely on August 25th, on account of the condition 

 of its body and feet. The foot of another Grouse was affected 

 in the same way though to a less degree. The latter weighed 

 15J ounces, and its condition was fair. Both feet were much 

 swollen with collections of caseous pus. It was killed "on an 

 exceptionally dry juniper hill " in Inverness-shire. There were 

 no abnormalities in any other part of the bird, except the 

 usual inf estment of Trichostrongylus ; but the organs were all 

 apparently healthy. Several similar specimens were obtained 

 upon the same moor. 



It is evident that in Grouse, and in poultry affected with 

 " bumblefoot," we have the result of localised suppura- 

 tion from septic infection following upon some small and 

 unnoticed wound or damage such as a scratch or bruise. A 

 " whitlow " is exactly comparable to this affection in the toes, 

 and a whitlow may be a septic affection of the superficial or 

 deeper tissues, and if of the latter, the infection may spread 

 to tendon sheaths, or even into the joints themselves, or 

 between the muscles. 



B. Causes of Death and Damage resulting from 

 Natural Conditions. . 



Nearly all the causes of death and damage due* to purely 

 natural conditions have from time to time been so well 

 described that it will here suffice merely to recapitulate 

 them. 1 



1 In connection with the effect of weather conditions upon Grouse, much additional 

 evidence has been collected by the Committee, and is referred to in other chapters of 

 this book. In view of the information now made available for the first time, it may 

 become necessary to reconsider some of the opinions of recognised authorities referred 

 to in this chapter. 



